Monday, September 22, 2008

The Mitsubishi Evolution X

All-new 2008 Lancer Evolution: Super-All Wheel Control, 6-Speed Automated Manual TransmissionMitsubishi Motors is introducing the 2008 Lancer Evolution, the newest and most sophisticated version of the legendary high-performance model series that began 16 years ago. While remaining true to the core values that have made the Lancer Evolution synonymous with thrilling performance, the next-generation model offers all-around capability and user technology that distinguish the world's best performance models.The strikingly styled 2008 Lancer Evolution showcases new performance and handling technology, including an all-new 291-bhp 2.0-liter turbocharged/intercooled engine and the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) dynamic handling system. S-AWC offers an extraordinary level of control at each wheel, going well beyond the capabilities of other all-wheel drive systems.Two Lancer Evolution models will be offered in the U.S. market for 2008: the GSR with a new 5-speed manual transmission and the Lancer Evolution MR with a new 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST), a new-generation automated manual transmission. The MR model is also equipped exclusively with Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs, two-piece brake rotors for better heat dissipation, BBS forged-alloy wheels, HID headlamps and additional interior features. Significantly, the newest Lancer Evolution will have less differentiation from market to market than the previous generations.Design EvolutionThe 2008 Lancer Evolution design makes a maximum performance statement, blending concept car themes and sound aerodynamic principles while conveying the brand's rally heritage. A shark-nosed front end inspired by jet fighter air intakes, a distinct wedge-like profile and crisp, taut lines highlight the basic new-generation Lancer design. Building on those themes, the 2008 Lancer Evolution looks the part of the street-wise sports machine with its a unique front end, aggressively sloping hood with integral air scoop and engine heat outlets, boxed fenders, and 18-inch alloy wheels with Brembo brakes.Inside, the Lancer Evolution presents a "class up" approach and shows a new international flair. Available user technology, including high-end Rockford Fosgate® audio and navigation systems, reflects the tastes of a broadening customer base.All-new 2.0-liter Turbo EngineThe 2008 Lancer Evolution's 4B11 engine is an intercooled-turbocharged 2.0-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder. Beyond that description, it differs greatly from the legendary 4G63 it replaces. The 4B11 is built with a reinforced cast-aluminum cylinder block versus the cast-iron block used in the 4G63, and aluminum is also used for the cylinder head and cover and the timing chain case.The new 4B11 T/C produces more power than its predecessor: 291 bhp at 6,500 rpm (vs. 286 bhp at 6,500 rpm) and 300 lb-ft of peak torque at 4,400 rpm (vs. 289 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm). The 4B11 T/C provides a broader torque curve, as well. A revised turbocharger yields up to 20-percent quicker response at lower engine speeds versus the 2006 engine's turbocharger.New TC-SST Automated Manual TransmissionExclusive to the Evolution MR model for 2008, the 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) is an automated manual transmission capable of executing lightning-quick upshifts with no drop-off in engine power. The TC-SST features both a console-mounted shifter and magnesium steering wheel paddle shifters and offers manual and fully automatic modes.Essentially, the TC-SST is a manual transmission that can select two gears at a time: one gear is engaged by one of the two wet multi-plate clutches, and the other is pre-selected, awaiting to be engaged by the second clutch. The gear change is made - either manually or automatically depending on mode selected - when the electro-hydraulically operated clutches are "swapped," which occurs simultaneously, with no perceptible lag time.Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC)In the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) is not simply the name of a new all-wheel drive system. Rather, S-AWC regulates drive torque at each wheel by controlling a network of dynamic handling technologies, including: Active Center Differential (ACD) 4-wheel drive, Active Yaw Control (AYC) rear differential, Active Stability Control (ASC), and Sports ABS brakes. Integration of ASC is new for all markets and also provides a significant advance in both dynamic capability and safety.
Base Price: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X - $32,990 (last update: 1/14/2008)

The Exotic Lamborghini Murcielago

Lamborghini Murcielago
The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is quite possibly the hottest Lamborghini ever. The Murcielago comes at you like wild animal. With its sleek contours, jagged edges and single-minded purpose, the Lamborghini Murcielago throws away all pretense of practicality and utility. The Lamborghini Murcielago is not only a supercar, but a super duper car as well.

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First look strikes you hard. There are no unnecessary details on the Lamborghini Murcielago whatsoever. The Murcielago has no funny looking grills and no strange lights, just an aerodynamic piece of beauty.
Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
Originally produced in 2001, the Lamborghini Murcielago underwent a name change in 2006 and is now called the Murcielago LP640. An open-top version was released later the same year called the Murcielago LP640 Roadster, roofless and sexier.
Features
The Murcielago upholds many of Lamborghini's longstanding traditions and much of the trademark designs have all been integrated, despite the vehicle being the first Lamborghini to be designed by a non-Italian.
The Lamborghini Murcielago runs on a mid-mounted 6.5 liter V12 engine churning out 633 bhp at 8000 rpm. The Murcielago has a maximum torque of 660 Nm at 6000 rpm and can run at top speeds of 211 mph. Zero to 60 mph is at 3.4 seconds. Weight distribution follows standard Lamborghini design with 52-percent front and 48-percent rear.
The Lamborghini Murcielago distributes power to all four corners via an advanced four-wheel drive system, able to unload up to 100-percent of the torque to either axle. The Murcielago offers both the standard six-gear manual transmission and Lamborghini's "e-Gear," which is their electro-hydraulic advanced transmission system. Drivers have expressed surprise at the manual transmission and how light and easy it is to use, despite the high speeds.
The exterior panels of the Lamborghini Murcielago are all made from carbon fiber with the exception of the gullwing doors and roof. The Murcielago sports 18-inch Pirelli PZero Rosso tires. The exhaust roars a hollow, chilling sound.
Although the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 has been modified to provide more headroom for the driver, the cabin is still small and the windshield is still takes a sharp angle and can be cumbersome if you're very tall. The seats of the Lamborghini Murcielago are also a tad awkward. The dashboard controls, a bit too far as well.
Even with the few shortcomings, the result, however, is a breath-taking, jaw dropping beast that intimidates outsiders like no other.
Driver Reports
Past and present driver reports of the newest Lamborghini Murcielago indicate an impressive car performance, exceptional stability, and a high production quality. It is built for the speed, ignoring any and all bumps and side winds on the road. Running a curve requires a bit of finesse but, done well, gives you an amazing pace.
At a base price of $323,160, does the Lamborghini Murcielago kick every other supercar within its range? As supercars go, this is one of the more economically priced vehicles.
The Lamborghini Murcielago is its own show, from the way the body wraps around its engine, the way it compels the driver to submit to its demands, and the respect it commands from anyone who dare drive it. The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 is drama, emotion and theatre all in a single vehicle.

The Exotic GM Ecojet

GM Ecojet
The GM Ecojet combines environmentally friendly features with raw speed and styling that few have seen before. And, the GM Ecojet comes fully-loaded with a top name celebrity onboard.

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Entertainment personality Jay Leno is a well-known car enthusiast, with his automobile collection finding its way into many magazine features and television segments. What many don't know is that he helped design a supercar too.
The GM Ecojet is a supercar concept vehicle, combining inspiration from jet aircraft and Formula One race cars. Originally seeded as an idea between Jay Leno and Bernard Juchli, his chief mechanic and collection caretaker, the complete design was put into paper by General Motors' Design Studio in North Hollywood, California, the Big Dog team.
Unveiled at the Special Equipment Marketers Association (SEMA) show in 2006, the GM Ecojet was built in Leno's hangar-sized garage at the Burbank Airport, where he keeps his large automobile collection. At the show, the GM Ecojet was a partially-complete version of the vehicle with most of the components in place.
Standing still like a reptile poised to attack, a first look at the GM Ecojet will bring to mind images of a hover tank out of a sci-fi paperback. The Ecojet has rough edges and doesn't look the least bit sporty. It's a scary piece of machinery. The GM Ecojet looks a lot like a grown-up Cadillac Cien with larger wheels, taller stance, and more prominent corners. With all the intimidation the Ecojet packs, however, it is an ultra-light two-seater.
According to Leno, "I wanted to build a modern car that didn't run on fossil fuels but (also) didn't drive like a Prius."
Features
In place of a conventional engine, the GM Ecojet concept vehicle is powered by a Honeywell LT-101 turbine and reengineered to run on biodiesel fuel. The Ecojet has a usable power of 650 bhp and a maximum torque of 542.8 Nm. It can potentially reach impressive top speeds of 354 kph. The GM Ecojet is a guzzler however, giving as low as 6 miles per gallon. Additionally, at startup and shut down, the engine runs on typical Jet-A fuel and thus the "jet" part of the name.
The GM Ecojet is built from a heavily-modified Corvette Z06 aluminum frame, aluminum-magnesium chassis developed by Alcoa, and Kevlar-reinforced carbon-fiber shell. For the way it looks, the GM Ecojet tips the scales at an unbelievably light 2400 lbs. The window glass is made from ultra-light Lexan, a clear and bulletproof material developed by GM Plastics. The suspension, brakes, and transaxle of the Ecojet were all built from the Corvette Z06 as well.
The highly-stylized aluminum wheels were supplied by Alcoa's Forged Specialty Wheels, with the spokes resembling turbine blades to coincide with the car's overall design thrust. The GM Ecojet features a new proprietary Dura-Bright finish that repels brake dust. The nose and the rest of the front of the vehicle borrows from GM's general aesthetics while the rear resembles the 1951 Buick LeSabre concept vehicle.
While previous turbine-powered concept cars such as the GM Firebird performed very slowly off the line, the technology of the Honeywell LT, according to the developers, won't need to spool the engine like jet aircraft before coming up to maximum power.
On the Road
Being in the concept phase, the GM Ecojet will not likely hit the road in the next couple of years, if at all. In case it does, however, the GM Ecojet could be the fastest production biodiesel vehicle based on its top speed claims.
The GM Ecojet is currently on tour around various auto shows and technology expos and is worth a peek if you happen to be in the area.

The Exotic Bugati Veyron

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is officially, to date, the fastest street-legal production car in the world. Looking more like a space cruiser than a regular road vehicle, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is also one of the most expensive production cars ever made at a $1.4 million price tag.

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Despite the space-age good looks, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 still appears more like a real car, (especially when the two-tone color is made to blend) than any vehicle that has come close to beating its track record.
The Veyron was under development for four years and was even rumored to never see the light of day. Until it actually did and blew away any doubts.
Features
The Bugatti Veyron houses an 8-liter W16 quad-cam engine or the equivalent of two V8 engines mated in a W-shape. The engine is mid-mounted and equipped with four turbochargers, producing an output of 1001 bhp at 6000 rpm. It provides a maximum torque of 1250 Nm across 2200 to 5000 rpm. The Bugatti Veyron has a redline of 6500.
The Veyron runs at an electronically-limited top speed of 253 mph with an unbelievable acceleration of 2.5 seconds going from 0 to 60 mph. In turn, the Bugatti Veyron can go from 240 mph to standstill in under 10 seconds.
The Bugatti Veyron features a 7-gear, dual-clutch, computer-controlled manual transmission, accessible by shifter paddles with options to run as a full automatic. It features a permanent all-wheel drive and carries 10 radiators for various vehicle functions. The brakes use cross-drilled and turbine-vented carbon rotors, with each caliper carrying eight titanium pistons.
The body of the Bugatti Veyron is a single-piece carbon-fiber monocoque, strong enough to withstand regular crashes. The rubber is specially-commissioned run-flat tires from Michelin to handle the unusual top speed and are 9.4 and 14.4 inches wide, front and rear. The Bugatti Veyron has wide dimensions as well, being only a few inches narrower than a Hummer, for better performance and a weight of 4,162 lbs.
The interior is clad with lush leather, available in two-tone or single color, with shiny metallic trims.
Performance
According to tests, the Bugatti Veyron lives up to its top performance claims 100 percent. On two separate occasions, two different automotive correspondents have driven the vehicle to the electronically-limited maximum speed. According to reports, the tires at top speed should blow out in 15 minutes, but the saving grace is that the Bugatti Veyron will burn all the car's fuel in 12 minutes.
The drive features excellent handling that has surprised many test drivers and the Bugatti Veyron doesn't feel the pressure of tight curves despite its massive build. Braking power is strong (as a car like this will need) and features excellent body control.
The evenly applied brakes will keep the Bugatti Veyron on exact path even when the driver lets the steering wheel go. As expected, it guzzles fuel more than any other production car, getting 7 mpg city and 10 mpg highway driving.
The Bugatti Veyron is likely to dominate the highest-end of production cars for quite a while. While driving one there is no need to look over your shoulder, only straight ahead.

Exotic Cars

Exotic Cars
Exotic cars strike most auto enthusiasts where they live, in the gut. Exotic cars are all about speed, power, design, lavishness and passion for a sense of identity that is truly unique in this otherwise vanilla world in which we live.

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When a person thinks about exotic cars, the class that usually comes to mind are the supercars such as those by Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren and Ferrari. But these are not the only exotic supercars in town as now other players have arrived on the scene.
In addition, there are other classes of exotic cars worth noting, especially the creative concepts, lavish luxury and even outlandish limousines that not only carry hefty price tags (if they are for sale) but the kind of design and automotive technology that few dare to dream. In fact, many exotic cars such as these are the real life, tangible representations of other people's dreams and creativity.
So what makes exotic cars so special? The prices of the vehicles for one thing. Most exotic cars start at the low end of $200,000 and climb upwards of $10 million for one automobile. This prices the exotics out of the hands of the middle class.
Some other qualities that make exotic cars truly unique are speed, luxury, design and innovative technology. For instance, the exotic supercars now must accelerate from 0 - 60 mph in under 4 seconds to be considered in this class.
Exotic luxury vehicles are mostly handcrafted and pay special emphasis to the interior comfort, options and drivability of the vehicle. Using the finest leather, wood, steel and other materials is what sets exotic luxury cars apart, not to mention that some exotic cars such as stretch limousines may even have a swimming pool inside them.
The outward design of most exotic cars is what sets these automobile apart from the mainstream. Whether it's the intimidating and menacing look of a supercar, the space age design of a concept automobile or the eye-please esthetics and opulent luxury of a limousine, exotic cars rely on design to capture an enthusiast's attention at first glance.
And, then there are some exotic cars that rely not especially on the look or the grandiosity of a being a rich and famous shuttle, but rather on unique technology that sets them apart. These exotic cars may rely on hydrogen or electricity for propulsion and do it in such a fashionable way as to set them apart from other autos in their class.
No matter which flavor of exotic car one is looking for, however, there is sure to be something to tickle everyone's fancy right here. If you're a fan of exotic cars then check out these pages and come back often as we are constantly making updates.